Tuesday, March 25, 2008

What does it take to entertain audiences across the country year after year? What does it take to be recognized across the world as India’s pre-eminent movie studio with an unrivalled box office record and an unmatched commitment to great cinema? First of all, it takes great stories to make great movies. Here we line up for you five great stories that form the base for Yash Raj Films’ five releases in 2008.

Tashan - All too sleek

First up, on the 25th of April, is 'Tashan', the directorial debut of Vijay Krishna Acharya, the scriptwriter of the mega blockbuster 'Dhoom' and 'Dhoom 2'. It is the intriguing story of an irreverent call center executive, a desi wannabe gangster, a beautiful femme fatale and a murderous gangster who loves nothing more than to kill people and practice his English. With a star cast of Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Anil Kapoor, 'Tashan' surely lives up to its name. But it’s the story underneath the loads of style that will make 'Tashan' a must watch experience. If you thought, only Hollywood could combine style with substance, think again - so can 'Tashan' – the ishtyle, the goodluck, the pharmoola!

A Kunal Kohli Film

On 27th June will arrive storyteller Kunal Kohli’s latest offering after the box office blockbusters 'Hum Tum' and 'Fanaa'. Starring Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukerji, 4 kids with attitude and God and a unique storyline. Romance, comedy, drama, pathos, fantasy and more – all that you ever wanted in the darkness of a movie theater is there in the story of this film, which will be titled shortly.

Bachna Ae Haseeno - All you girls out there!

On 15th August, Independence Day, Yash Raj Films will invite you to celebrate the fresh new story of 'Bachna Ae Haseeno', the third film from one of India’s new bandwagon of exciting directors, Siddharth Anand. It casts the young scion of the legendary Kapoor family, Ranbir Kapoor as the carefree alpha male and the relationships he has with the 3 women in his life. Starring alongside Ranbir are Bipasha Basu, Minissha Lamba and Deepika Padukone in a story about leaves lessons that you will never forget.

Roadside Romeo

On 24th October will open a new chapter in Yash Raj Films’ expanding strides. That date will mark the release of the first full-length animated feature film co-produced by the Studio along with Walt Disney Pictures, the world leaders in animation. 'Roadside Romeo' spins the tale of a rich, cool, spoilt brat of a dog who is abandoned on the streets and now needs to fend with problems the likes of which he has never faced before. It features the voices of Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Jaaved Jaaferi and utilises state-of-the-art computer animation done entirely in India. Written and directed by Jugal Hansraj, 'Roadside Romeo' looks like it will open a landmark in Indian cinema.

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Exciting as these four diverse stories are in their own right, there is no doubt that excitement among Indian audiences will be at a fever pitch on the 12th of December. For that is the date on which Aditya Chopra will be back as director for the first time in eight years. For these past eight years, Aditya Chopra has concentrated his creative energies on building Yash Raj Films into India’s first production house built on the studio model and shaping it into a creative nerve centre that has nurtured some of India’s best screenwriters, directors and stars. But 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi', starring Shah Rukh Khan, will remind audiences (if anyone has forgotten) of the magic touch that has made 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' the longest running motion picture in Indian cinema history. While many of his stories and screenplays have been seen on screen in the last few years, including 'Veer-Zaara', which was helmed by his father Yash Chopra, the romantic confection of 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' looks set to capture hearts across the globe all over again.

“2008... .Another very exciting year ahead for YRF ... five films of varied genres, varied styles. Two by first time directors, two by acknowledged directors and the year’s crowning glory by a director who is going to tap the clap board after eight years.

The tie-up with Walt Disney Pictures is certain to leave film lovers of all ages animated and entertained like never before.

YRF has scaled up its operations in recent times and the studio model that was embarked upon a couple of years ago is firmly in place... YRF prides itself in being a part of every step of the value chain of a film from its conception to its delivery to the end viewer.” said Sanjeev Kohli, Director and CEO, Yash Raj Films.

Five stories, then. Five incredible films that encapsulate the magic of Yash Raj Films in five uniquely different ways. Five reasons to celebrate a wonderful 2008 with Yash Raj Films.